MLB Pseudo-Season 2020: Roger, Dodgers

[Ar-Pharazon]

Read the statement Epstein released about the non-tender. It's the most tone-deaf, self-congratulatory bullshit. I'd link it but I'm posting on my phone from a hospital bed.

The hemorrhoids again??? Well, here's hoping you get better.

You must have gotten the large part of the wishbone. You've been hoping for Addy to be jettisoned a long time. He got his second chance and didn't make much of it, looking like he was in a fog the whole time. Starlin Castro had better focus while he was birdwatching.

 

[Timby]

Agreed.



https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/12/cubs-non-tender-addison-russell-danny-hultzen.html

Hope you're on the mend soon!

The worst part was Epstein saying they cut Russell because they didn't want to pay what he'd get in arbitration. Doesn't really help the league's claims that teams aren't being cheap and aren't trying to keep salaries down.

 

[Tom Hendricks]

Cole Hamels signs 1 year deal with the Braves

 

[Yanks]

Want to hear some bullshit? Despite making more money than God every year, the Cubs have made it known that Bryant and Contreras are available via trade because they want to save money. The Brewers are shopping Hader, in the middle of their contention window, for the same reason. Boston is going to tender JBJ and is shopping Mookie Betts.

Isn't Bryant is some sort of ruckus with the management over a contract issue?

Not sure why the Cubs are doing what they are doing, but Boston spent WAAAAAAY to much on starting pitching and it's coming back to bite them. Nobody will bite on JBJ, his BA is way too low.

Why not shop Hader? ... if you can get MORE talent for him - that might be the right thing to do.

 

[Tom Hendricks]

Zack Wheeler signs with the Phillies

 

[cardinal biggles]

Meanwhile, Manfred is planning to gut the Minor Leagues, culling 42 of the 160 affiliated teams. Three of the teams are in Pennsylvania, and our governor isn't down with that fuckery.

In a letter to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem, Wolf argued the minor league teams improve the quality of life—and the economy—in their communities.

He also said MLB’s exclusive control of local professional baseball means teams will likely die if they’re let go, adding that MLB “needs to do the right thing and recognize the value of these community institutions that have been part of the league’s success.”
...
MLB officials, meanwhile, told the Associated Press the organization pays the minor leagues $500 million annually, but gets back just $18 million.

They’ve also said in statements, they’re hoping to improve facilities at minor league parks by cutting a few of the 160 affiliated teams.

Source: PA Post/WITF

The three PA teams affected would be:

• State College Spikes (Short-season single-A affiliate of the Cardinals)
• Erie SeaWolves (Double-A affiliate of the Tigers)
• Williamsport Crosscutters (Short-season single-A affiliate of the Phillies)

 

[tomalak301]

This offseason is much better than last year. Players are signing, I'm learning more about Contract Offers, and I still wonder what Farhan is going to do. Sounds like they are letting Pillar go, which is a bummer but this is the first year in the post Bochy era so I have to give it sometime. I wasn't really a fan of the Kapler hiring, but he seems really humble and seems to understand what went wrong in Philly. Maybe SF is a better spot for him.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Zack Wheeler signs with the Phillies

The White Sox offered more money. Did he just prefer Philly, or believe they're "closer" than the Sox?

With the amount of money they've spent, they better do a lot better than 2019.

I hope Hamels can get back to where he was a little, but he's pretty broken down.

Cubs had better be planning something we don't know about. We need 2 starters, because Lester may be close to done.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Meanwhile, Manfred is planning to gut the Minor Leagues, culling 42 of the 160 affiliated teams. Three of the teams are in Pennsylvania, and our governor isn't down with that fuckery.

Source: PA Post/WITF

The three PA teams affected would be:

• State College Spikes (Short-season single-A affiliate of the Cardinals)
• Erie SeaWolves (Double-A affiliate of the Tigers)
• Williamsport Crosscutters (Short-season single-A affiliate of the Phillies)

I'm glad the Pennsylvania governor is telling Manfred to fuck off. Hopefully other governors do the same.

 

[cardinal biggles]

^Bernie Sanders has also put Manfred on notice.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^Bernie Sanders has also put Manfred on notice.

Oh no! I bet Manfred's really scared!

 

[The Nth Doctor]

^Bernie Sanders has also put Manfred on notice.

Yeah, I follow him on Facebook and Twitter, so I've seen him comment about this issue several times before this article. That puts a greater spotlight on this issue (even if it won't become bigger news as a result).

 

[cardinal biggles]

Oh no! I bet Manfred's really scared!

If MLB starts screwing around with the Minor Leagues, you could see bipartisan movement on eliminating MLB's antitrust exemption. But yeah, let's laugh it up because Shouty Old Man Bernie is on the scene.

 

[Yanks]

I'm glad the Pennsylvania governor is telling Manfred to fuck off. Hopefully other governors do the same.

I'm wondering what the governor can do about it?

 

[cardinal biggles]

Legally? Probably not much. But if he and other politicians raise the issue, there can be public pressure on the matter. People get very attached to their local minor league teams.

 

[Jedi_Master]

Meanwhile, Manfred is planning to gut the Minor Leagues, culling 42 of the 160 affiliated teams. Three of the teams are in Pennsylvania, and our governor isn't down with that fuckery.

Source: PA Post/WITF

The three PA teams affected would be:

• State College Spikes (Short-season single-A affiliate of the Cardinals)
• Erie SeaWolves (Double-A affiliate of the Tigers)
• Williamsport Crosscutters (Short-season single-A affiliate of the Phillies)

Has anyone done a study of the economic impact of these losses?

 

[BillJ]

Has anyone done a study of the economic impact of these losses?

I doubt MLB cares.

 

[Jedi_Master]

I doubt MLB cares.

I am sure. As many MiLB stadiums were built and are maintained by local communities, there is a significant public interest in keeping a well-funded primary leaseholder in place, especially if the local community borrowed the money needed to build or refurbish a stadium.
On the other hand, if the local stadium has been a consistent drag on the economy (even with the MiLB tenant), perhaps it would benefit the city to let them go, and repurpose the site.

 

[Yanks]

Legally? Probably not much. But if he and other politicians raise the issue, there can be public pressure on the matter. People get very attached to their local minor league teams.

I get it for sure. I'd be pissed if my minor league team all of a sudden disappeared.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I get it for sure. I'd be pissed if my minor league team all of a sudden disappeared.

As would I. I don't get out to Werner Park much but I would definitely be upset if the Storm Chasers ceased to exist. And I think it would be a not insignificant blow to Omaha's economy as well.

That said, is there a way to check to see if a specific team will be affected? Has a complete list been made?